By Dave Davies

– If you follow the Balkanized world of Philadelphia politics, you know that carpenters union, which has been shut out of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, has endorsed state Sen. Anthony Williams in the Philadelphia mayor’s race.

But apparently not all carpenters agree.

Campaign finance reports filed today show that the Carpenters’ Fund for Growth and Prosperity, based in Edison, N.J., recently contributed $750,000 to a newly-created committee called The Turnout Project, and $725,000 of it quickly went to a super PAC that’s running TV ads promoting former City Councilman Jim Kenney’s candidacy.

How could that happen?

Apparently John Dougherty, business manager of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, an avid Kenney supporter, is involved.

When I called the contact person on the finance report of The Turnout Project to ask about the contributions, she said someone would soon get back to me.

Within a few minutes, I got the following statement from Local 98 spokesman Frank Keel: “The International Carpenters Union clearly understands that John Dougherty is consistently on the right side of the issues‎ and they want to work with him.”

Here are the details, as revealed in The Turnout Project’s report:

The Carpenters Fund for Growth and Prosperity of Edison, N.J. made contributions of $250,000 (on April 4th) and $500,000 (on May 1st) to The Turnout Project.

The Turnout Project contributed $225,000 (on April 23rd) and $500,000 (on May 1st) to the Build a Better Pa. Fund, which has spent a little over $700,00 on TV ads for Kenney.

Building a Better Pa. Fund’s campaign finance report shows it raisesd about $1.4 million, about a third of that from Local 98.

So what does it mean that Philly carpenters are backing Williams and some aren’t?

I reached out to a Martin O’Rourke, spokesman from Ed Coryell, business manager of the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters here in Philadelphia.

He wrote back with this:

Here is a statement from Frank Spencer, Eastern District Vice President, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America: “The UBCJA unequivocally supports Ed Coryell and our leadership in Philadelphia – as well as the local political decisions the Regional Council makes.”

Source – http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/81690-carpenters-fueling-pro-kenney-super-pac?linktype=hp_impact

By Kimberly Paynter

– Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in action were honored Wednesday at the annual Living Flame Memorial Service Wednesday afternoon.

Families of police Officer Robert Wilson III and firefighter Lt. Joyce Craig placed bouquets of flowers on the memorial as city officials honored Wilson and Craig with words.

Craig of Engine 64 died responding to a call in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood on Dec. 9. Wilson was shot during a robbery on West Lehigh Avenue on March 5.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, noting that being a police officer or firefighter is a “constant sacrifice,” said those individuals display total commitment to the safety of the city.

Mourners were then invited to place flowers on the plaques bearing the names of their loved ones. The Philadelphia Honor Guard fired a rifle salute and the Philadelphia Fire Department rang the last alarm for the fallen officers.

Source – http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/viewfinders/item/81617?linktype=hp_blogs

By the The National Association of Letter Carriers

– The NALC will conduct its 23rd annual food drive on Saturday, May 9. Letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes.

It is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, and is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

With the extreme weather experienced this winter by much of the country, along with the economic struggles many Americans face, the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive never has been more important.

“Letter carriers are honored to be able to help people in need,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “We see the needs in the communities we serve, and we believe it’s important to help meet those needs.”

Hunger affects about 49 million people around the country, including millions of children and senior citizens. And one in four households with a member currently serving in the U.S. military turns to a food bank for food assistance.

Pantry shelves filled up through winter-holiday generosity often are bare by late spring. And, with most school meal programs not available during summer months, millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition.

On Saturday, May 9, as they deliver mail, the nation’s 175,000 city letter carriers will collect donations left by residents near their mail boxes. They will be joined by retired letter carriers, by family members and friends, and by countless volunteers to help collect and distribute the sacks of non-perishable food items that get left next to generous customers’ mailboxes that morning.

People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods such as canned soup; canned vegetables; canned meats and fish; pasta; peanut butter; rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday.

Carriers will bring the food to local food banks, pantries or shelters, including many affiliated with Feeding America, which is a national partner in the drive, as are the U.S. Postal Service, United Way Worldwide, the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, the AFL-CIO, Valpak and Valassis.

People who have questions about the drive in their area should ask their letter carrier, contact their local post office, or go to nalc.org/food, facebook.com/StampOutHunger or twitter.com/StampOutHunger (hashtag #StampOutHunger).

Source: http://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive

From The PA. AFL-CIO

– “Thanks to the commitment and the support of thousands of volunteers and participants across Pennsylvania, we have transformed a nationwide observance into a global movement for safe jobs and putting human life above greed and profits. Safe jobs and protecting working men and women is important everyday not just on Workers’ Memorial Day. This has always been our priority and it should be everyone’s priority – labor, business and government,” President Bloomingdale said.

Events were held on various days across Pennsylvania in observance of April 28 the day designated in honor of fallen workers and rededicated to fulfilling the promise of safe jobs for every worker.

“While through our collective efforts millions of lives have been saved, as I speak 12 workers die every day in America as a result of workplace illnesses and injuries. The average penalty for a workplace fatality is only $5,000. We need stronger protections and stiffer penalties, including criminal prosecution for intentional acts, that injure or kill workers. We will continue holding these memorials to “Mourn the Dead and Fight for the living” until every job is a safe job,” Secretary-Treasurer Snyder said.

The final Workers’ Memorial observance will be held in Johnstown, organized by the Greater Johnstown Regional Central Labor Council. It will be the 26th Annual Workers Memorial Day Banquet on Friday evening, May 1, and will include a brief interfaith service and the awarding of scholarships in the Annual Workers Memorial Day Essay Contest sponsored by the Johnstown CLC.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5941

By The May Day USA Education Committee Philadelphia

– FROM THE 8-HOUR DAY TO THE FIGHT FOR $15 – WHEN WE ORGANIZE WE CAN WIN!

– Unbeknownst to many Americans, May Day was founded in the United States after the nationwide general strike for the eight-hour workday that started on May 1, 1886. The annual May Day USA Education Committee celebration – taking place at Clark Park in West Philly this year – highlights this hidden labor history as well as today’s struggles and past labor struggles honored by the Elmwood Park Labor Monument right here in our own City of Brotherly Love! [See below for more on the Labor Monument.]

The 8th annual “May Day USA March, Rally and Family Celebration” on Friday, May 1st 2015, kicks off at 2PM with a rally and march – co-run by our allies at “Fight for $15” and “$15 Now” – calling for a livable wage for all workers — starting in front of the McDonalds at 40th & Walnut Streets and ending up at Clark Park (43rd Street & Baltimore Avenue) where our celebration will begin at 3PM. The Clark Park rally and celebration will include a DJ, live music, singers, poets, a BBQ by the Veterans For Peace Chapter 31 “Precision Grill Team,” children’s entertainment, and an array of notable speakers from Labor and other allied organizations in Philly. We will also be awarding the annual Aggie Moran Human Rights Awards.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND JOIN US!

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The Elmwood Park Labor Monument, erected in 2010, was commissioned by the Fairmount Park Art Association in cooperation with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department and represents ten years of perseverance by the neighborhood organization, The Friends of Elmwood Park, to build a tribute to Labor in their community. More info: http://associationforpublicart.org/interactive-art-map/the-labor-monument-philadelphias-tribute-to-the-american-worker

Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/634069030057459/